Diplomats: Syria evades nuke probe

GEORGE JAHN, Associated Press

Diplomats say Syria has evaded a request from the head of the U.N. atomic agency for access to a suspected nuclear site.

Israeli warplanes destroyed what the U.S. says was a secretly built nuclear reactor in 2007. Syria allowed International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit the site once, but has refused subsequent requests.

IAEA chief Yukiya Amano had directly asked Syria's foreign minister in November to allow a new visit - in an unprecedented direct request. But a senior diplomat said Friday the foreign minister's response avoided mention of that site, promising only cooperation in vague terms.

Other diplomats said that amounts to a rejection of the request

The agency is attempting to probe both Syria and Iran. It is to release reports on both nations later Friday.

The diplomats spoke anonymously because their information was confidential.